228 
been attributed to overfishing, unregulated recreational and commer- 
cial catches, and natural environmental fluctuations. 
Sewage sludge dumping at the 12-Mile Site does not significantly 
interfere with the New York Bight commercial fisheries. Commercial 
finfish are caught in and around the disposal sites as well as 
throughout the New York Bight. Except for interference from rela- 
tively heavy ship traffic through the area, there appears to be little 
inhibition in utilization of the commerical fisheries resources of the 
Bight due to the disposal of wastes. 
Cessation of sewage sludge dumping at the 12-Mile Site will have 
little foreseeable benefit to commercial shellfishing in the New York 
Bight. A major contribution to the commercial landings of the mid- 
Atlantic region is from shellfisheries, particularly clams, sea 
scallops, squid, and American lobster. U.S. Food and Drug Adminis— 
tration (FDA) closures of shellfishery areas in the shore zone and 
Hudson-Raritan Bay complex are the result of local and estuarine 
drainage basin pollutional sources. These closures would be expected 
to remain in effect even if cessation of dumping and recovery of the 
dumpsites permitted reopening of the offshore area. Furthermore, 
because the closure zone around the dumpsite is very small relative 
to the distribution of commercially valuable shellfish stocks in the 
mid-Atlantic region, no significant increase in landings is likely as 
a result of reopening this zone. 
